Here's the next chapter! R&R!
6- Familial Bonds, Losing Light
Geoff's eyes snapped open and he sat up quickly, a sheen of sweat covering his body. "Just a dream…" he muttered hazel eyes closing with exasperation. "It's always a dream these days…get a hold of yourself." He realized that it was still the wee hours of the morning and could only twitch slightly. Usually he got up when the sun was high in the sky! Geez, he hoped he wasn't slowly turning into an insomniac.
"Mmmrf…" he gasped when he heard and felt another presence in the room. His eyes rested on Lukas and not too far from him Zak was dozing slightly at his post as look out. The dark haired boy turned over, his pale skin camouflaged against the stark white sheets. Simply sighing Lukas was undisturbed by Geoff's small outburst. Zak however snapped from his dozing to look over at him blue eyes worried.
The blond just smiled and gave him a thumbs up. That only earned him a skeptical look, Geoff simply sighed and rested his head back on the sweat covered pillow grimacing at the feel. He really needed a shower. "Hey is the shower open Zak?" He whispered so as to not disturb Lukas, though the boy was a deep sleeper just like himself.
"Mm-hm," the boy hummed looking back out the window.
"M'kay I'm taking a shower then, I'll take over look out so you can get some sleep."
Zak watched his blond comrade leave for the shower, and couldn't help but worry a little bit. Geoff never woke up in the middle of the night like that. Even before the blond had awoken he'd thrown off his goggles in his sleep and muttered something every so often with additional tossing and turning.
Very un Geoff like…and what shocked him the most is that Geoff would take early morning look out, usually he just stayed awake into the midnight hours without falling asleep in the first place. Zak just simply sighed pushing that from his mind, Geoff wouldn't talk about it. Geoff didn't like people to worry over him all that much.
Lulled by the sudden hum of the shower Zak found himself once again dozing. Dreams, dreams that were so real they almost seemed like memories…Zak snapped awake suddenly and his dreams maybe even his memories were sealed away.
It didn't matter how quickly he woke up he'd always forget them…He sighed heavily and was startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up his heart went back down into chest were it belonged, it was only Geoff. The blond had a towel around his shoulders his blond locks still a little damp. He was sporting a large black t-shirt and some loose fitting jeans.
He scratched the side of his head eyes half lidded. "Hmf, I'm ready to take my shift now," He murmured. "You can go and get some sleep."
Nodding gratefully Zak stumbled over to his bed and plopped down falling a sleep in a matter of seconds. Geoff watched for a few more seconds before looking out the window towards the city.
He was awakened by a sudden weight bearing down on his chest. Zak's eyes snapped wide open and he sat up quickly the weight falling off with a squeak. Before him was none other than the peach haired boy himself, Celestic. The child now entangled within the sheets of Zak's bed.
"What were you doing on my chest?" Zak asked slightly irritated as he rolled his shoulders. The boy fought against the bedding trying his sincere hardest to get untangled. He stopped his struggles tongue lolling out and chest heaving for air, the sheets covering part of his face, and it made a sort of adorable scene.
Getting up, Zak grabbed the sheets and flipped them quickly, causing Celestic to become untangled and fall with a 'oof' onto the bed.
"Sorry I was just told to come and wake you up!" the boy stated silver orbs looking away.
"You didn't have to attempt to smother me," Zak stated lifting the boy into the air before setting him down on the floor. "A simple get up, would have done."
"I tried that! You were in a very deep sleep Zak!" the boy stated before taking off towards a different part of the hideout.
Odd. Hm. He never slept all that deeply, ah well nothing to get in a frenzy over, besides he felt pretty good. Popping his shoulder one last time he walked towards the kitchen area. They'd been lucky that this hideout-the only one they got almost completely furnished- was still here. Still paid for. A real home actually…one of their first hideouts.
He walked past Temoria who was now joined by Celestic the two eating waffles. Zak ruffled both their hair and walked towards the counter snatching a banana he peeled it quickly and began to eat it.
Munching on the fruit he turned back towards the table eyes widening slightly. Isabella with the aid of Jena was stumbling into the room. Jade eyes were dull and half lidded as she let out a haggard sigh sitting down.
Oh no, she was having an attack again. His fist clenched slightly, what was wrong? Why couldn't they figure out what was wrong and fix it? Finishing off the banana he threw it into the garbage can and walked over to Iz. Kneeling down he rested his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes.
"You okay?" he asked dumbly. She offered him a weak smile and nodded eyelids lowering a fraction. He knew it was a lie, but there was nothing he or anyone could do and he cursed himself for it. "You'll be okay-" he swallowed thickly."I promise you…I'll figure this out."
"You'll keep your word," Isabella stated softly. "You always do."
"Come on Iz, let's get you back to bed," Jena stated gently helping the girl up and leading her to the room.
"So what about the heist?" Geoff stated. "Isabella's sick, we can't go." They watched as Zak clenched his fists.
"We're going," he stated, as though he were going to vent his frustrations on the guards they'd have to take out, and maybe he would. Geoff surprisingly looked disapprovingly at Zak.
"Zak don't go into this hotheaded, kay?" Geoff stated sliding his hands into his pockets. "We need our leader level headed if this is going to work." Zak took a relaxing breath and looked towards his friend.
"I know Geoff…I know." He stated gently the anger fading slightly. However what was to happen later that night would change everyone's lives…possibly for the worst.
Despite Geoff's words of actual wisdom Zak still was holding a grudge and was willing to take it out on whoever was an enemy. In fact he beat down several guards right of the bat, with a little bit of scolding from Geoff, who was suddenly the responsible one.
He wasn't sure where this anger was coming from, and it did frighten him, but he didn't necessarily fight it. He noticed Geoff was keeping an eye on him every once in a while.
Temoria and Celestic flew side by side pointing out the directions, after all they knew this place inside out. They where the ones who did surveillance. The two even took out a few guards along the way. Today's mission was to get information on a experiment, they didn't know all of the details, but it wasn't something good for the environment or people.
Moving his body around Zak quickly kicked on of the guards in the gut and took off down an opposite hall then the others, which was all according to plan. Before he could completely separate he heard Geoff state with a whim sickle tone. "Don't get hasty! Stay hidden!"
"Yeah thanks 'mom'!" Zak grumbled back as he rounded a corner, geez why was Geoff all of a sudden a mother hen? He was reckless most if not all the time! Pushing his comrades odd behavior out of his mind he was happy to see there was the lab. Perfect, Temoria and Celestic's surveillance had worked out! There would be a reward for the two defiantly.
Rushing to the computers he quickly began to download the software for a virus. He was going to make sure everything was destroyed, every bit of information was going to go away. That's when they'd have to bolt because the owner of this trash was going to be ticked. And when someone of this power was ticked you could expect bullets to fly.
Rushing out into the alley he waited for the rest of his crew, surprisingly he got done earlier than he expected. Heck he'd even double checked everything, and even more shocking was that no one followed him out. No one gave chase. Plus there'd been few guards…sapphire orbs widened.
Reaching into his pocket he was about to call and state that it was all a trap but before he could dial Geoff's number there was a clicking. Or rather the cocking of a gun. "Put the phone down kid," it was deep and Zak could just image this guy to be huge and threatening, probably similar to Victor.
Slipping it back into his pocket he managed to send the alarm that was connected through Geoff and his phones. The warning was sent and hopefully they'd get out alive.
"Damn I hate to see youth die this way," the man stated gruffly Zak still not turning to face him. "but orders are orders." Zak quickly realized there'd be not quick rescue from Celestic and Temoria…this was it for him. Damn…and he'd promised Isabella she'd get better, that he'd find a way.
The gun went off and Zak expected that splitting pain he'd always imaged, sure he'd been nicked a few times but never a direct hit. There was a shout then, "Dammit I told you to listen!" Then there was a foot to his face followed by a grunt of pain, his face stung and he was sent sailing backwards.
Landing he was about to shout at Geoff when he realized something. It wasn't like Geoff had hurt his foot from kicking Zak in the face…no he was holding his mid-section and his eyes where shut tight, breathing labored.
Horror settled in Zak's whole body, and his voice came out in a croaked cry. "G-Geoff!"
"I'll leave you to watch your comrade die," the man stated before turning his bulky frame, just had Zak imagined, around. "This is a fitting punishment."
"I may not be the most mature at times," Hazel eyes drilled into sapphire ones and Zak tried his very hardest not to flinch. "But I expect you to listen to me…as a friend...when I give advi-" Zak watched helplessly as Geoff coughed up blood. The blonde's body slumped forwards slightly, hazel eyes dulling ever so slightly causing Zak's breath to hitch up as his heart sped up.
Numbly Zak rushed forward and landed hard on his knees at Geoff's side. Flipping the boy over gently he looked at his dulling hazel eyes in horror. "Geoff you can't honestly die…" Zak stated as tears pricked his eyes. Through pain filled eyes Geoff smiled gently at his friend.
"Geez Zak what do you take me f-for?" he wheezed as he winced. "A little bullet won't take out me…hey don't look at me like that." His eyes fully closed and Zak tried vainly for him to open them again. "I regret nothing…" That whim sickle tone cut in one last time before Geoff's head lolled limply to the ground.
That's when Celestic and Temoria rushed from the building mouths open wide as if to say something, but it died in their throats at what they saw.
"Geoff!" Zak felt for the pulse and let out a pain filled cry when he realized it was hardly there and weakening…then…he it faltered ever so slightly."You can't die! You can't!" Tear finally sprung forth falling down the teen's eyes as he held his dear friend closely. His comrade…his best friend, his right hand man…even his brother…
"Please somebody help!" He cried out to the unforgiving world. "Please!" There was shuffling and at first he thought it was the man from before. His arms wrapped themselves protectively around the limp form of his friend and his eyes narrowed. Temoria and Celestic also taking the defensive around their friends.
White locks of hair where the first thing he noticed. It was her, and he couldn't run this time, but this time he felt a sudden calm rush over him. She'd help…she had to…
"Please," he croaked looking at her through bleary eyes. "Please save him…" She nodded once and then they were surrounded by the people they'd thought were the enemy. Forcing himself he let them take Geoff's limp body from him and stood shakily Temoria and Celestic aiding their leader.
Wiping the last of his tears he followed the family as they rushed to a place where hopefully Geoff would make a come back…and he prayed he would.
The reunion is coming up next :3. But will it be a heartwarming one? Especially with an injured Geoff, and I have to wonder what's going on with Geoff and is the end of their troubles? Sadly no. And a lot more is going to happen to poor Geoff as the blonde's past slowly catches up to him. Well until next time!